Apr

22

Ballot Initiatives

April 22, 2008 |  Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Seems I can’t go to the grocery store these days without running into someone trying to get signatures for some ballot initiative or another. Today there were three.

The first one was to limit corporations from contributing to anyone’s campaign while they’re bidding on a government contract. I’ve had enough Campaign Finance reform for one lifetime, so I refused to sign that one. I told the person requesting the signature that I don’t believe in limiting free speech. Her response led to the second initiative, which she said I probably wouldn’t want to sign either.

This one was to keep unions from using an individual’s dues for political purposes without their consent. This isn’t a free speech issue for the union. It’s a free speech issue for the individual! I told her I would sign that one because I don’t believe unions should collect money from workers by calling it dues, but spending it on their own political purposes (which often do not benefit the workers themselves).

UPDATE: Mount Virtus has much more information on this ballot initiative.

The third initiative was a constitutional amendment to define that life begins at conception. I agree with that, and signed it, but I have little hope that this will even make the ballot, let alone pass a vote by the people.

I’m glad we’re able to participate in ballot initiatives. This isn’t the case everywhere. There’s a very frightening scenario playing out in Oklahoma regarding the legality of gathering signatures. Three people were jailed on felony charges. You can read the details here. There’s a ballot initiative trying to be pushed through regarding this in Colorado. As soon as I have more information on that, I’ll pass it along.


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